Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Just found out a buddy of mine has a Bitz. I need to re-fletch 2 of my ACCs, he said have at it :)

He has a variety of 4" feathers, but I'm wondering if I can use super glue as an adhesive? Hoping so, as his glue is "old and no good", and I don't want to have to order glue just for this occaison, as I have some super glue.

Also, do the ACCs require any special preperation, such as wipe down with acetone or something? How about the base of the feather?

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

I use the Fast Fletch adhesive to bond feathers to my ACC's. I believe it's similar to super glue so I don't see why that wouldn't work. I wipe my shafts down with a dry, clean cloth before fletching but other than that there's no special prep to either shaft or feather. Haven't had any come loose yet.

Even though the Fast Fletch is quick drying I usually leave the feathers sit in the clamp for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Usually 30 minutes because I'm never really in a big hurry to get them done. But the feathers should sit in the clamp longer than vanes because they have that natural tendency to curl and if taken out too early they can move around a bit. Makes for some really cool looking arrow flight though. Sort of like watching the acrobatic bi-planes at an air show.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Thanks... I figure I'll give it a whirl and see how it goes...

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

I used Bohning Bond-tite on the half dozen ACC's that I fletched. So far so good.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

In the past I've used Fletchtite, Bondtite, Saunders NPV, and various superglues. Right now I'm using Fletchtite Platinum. They all work. It's how you prep the arrows that makes a difference. I wipe mine down with 91% alcohol available at your local drug store. The feathers don't need treated. Most vanes do.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

If I'm not mistaken, super glue type adhesives are not recommended for feathers. I use Fletch Tite PLatinum and it work very well. I'v also been experimenting with the fletching tape and so far they are holding up great. You can fletch an arrow in under a minute using the tape if you're good with your jig.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

I've used several of the super glue gels for fletching carbons with feathers and haven't had any problems since I figgered out how to do it. I run a bead of glue down the feather's quill and then spread it out evenly with a toothpick before applying it to the shaft.

But that was then and this is now... Nowadays, I don't use anything for fletching feathers except Bohning fletching tape. :)

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

I hear you guys on the tape, and when I get set up to do this, that's what I plan to use.

Right now, I just need to get 2 arrows back in service asap :)

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

What do you guys recommend to remove old adhesive from ACCs? Can I use Acetone on carbon? How about rubbing alcohol? Or do you just scrape it off with a razor?

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Acetone won't budge any of the cyanoacrylate glues. You gotta CAREFULLY scrape off the mess. Scrape too deep and you cut into the shaft. After I get all the glue off, then I'll go over the shaft with denatured alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol contains oils that will contaminate the surface and keep fletches from sticking properly. NEVER use that stuff on arrows.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Loc tite super glue for feathers.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

:D

That's the EXACT glue I have sitting on my desk that I planned to use. It's even a "brush on" version.

I have the bitz in hand, well, in car actually, so hopefully I'll get a chance to go at this soon.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

First issues-

It's easy to see why so many prefer the Bitz. Solid piece of equipment, very easy to use.

Problem- How critical is it to get 100% of the old glue residue off? I've been using a razor blade, needless to say, it's a P.I.T.A!

I have one shaft smooth, but there is still a bit of gloss from the old adhesive. Do I need to get every stinking microscopic layer of this crap off, or will the new super glue stick to it, provided I clean it adequately with denatured alcohol?

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

I've been known to run out of patience trying to get all the old glue off carbons and just fletched over the residue. I think on the shafts that have a matte surface finish like Gold Tips, the glue soaks into the surface a little, so the glue actually becomes part of the surface layer. You'd actually have to remove some of the original surface to get all the glue off. The shafts with a fine surface finish, like Beman, don't allow the glue to soak in. Bottom line, just get the glue line scraped/sanded down flush with the shaft surface and fletch. They'll stick.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

THAT, is music to my ears...

Thank you :)

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Well, the deed is done.

Some observations-

1- The bitz is a solid, easy to use hunk of aluminum. I've never fletched an arrow before, had no directions to follow, and it was easy as pie.

2- How you place an fletch in the clamp makes all the difference in the finished product. My first two arrows look TONS better than the ones fletched at the shop for $1.50 per, theirs are much more sloppy.

3- Left wing feathers don't fit on a shaft with a right helical clamp very well. Luckily I caught this before anything set up. Live and learn :)

Will have to see how they hold up when launching them through the WBBK2. For safety sake, I won't do so until tomorrow.

Thanks all for the assistance.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Like the old saying goes, "If you want it done RIGHT, then do it yourself." ;) You know, as bad as a lot of folks want people to believe it - or try to make it so - this archery stuff simply is not rocket science.

RE: Fletching ACCs with feathers, which glue?
 

Results are in-

Feathers are stuck tight, zipping through the BK2 with no ill effects and impacting dead on with the others.

I'm sold. Will be doing my own fletching work from here out... :)

I'm thinking a nice 4" 2 barred orange and 1 barred grey combo is in order this off season...